‘Red list’ flights are to pick up passengers

FLIGHTS are continuing to arrive from cities on the Government’s ‘red list’ into Manchester Airport despite the fact it is not among the five designated ‘quarantine ports’.

But it’s understood that flights including Emirates’ Dubai service and Etihad’s Abu Dhabi route are not actually carrying passengers into Manchester

Instead, they are arriving passenger-free to pick up those people who have a valid reason to travel outbound – which doesn’t include a holiday.

These outbound passengers are among up to 1,600 people taking off from Terminal One each day.

Around 600 passengers, meanwhile, are understood to be flying into Manchester from permitted countries.

There are 33 countries on the government’s ‘red list’, including Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, South America and southern Africa. Flights from such destinations must arrive at a ‘quarantine port’ Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Birmingham or Farnborough Airfield - and passengers must isolate in a hotel for at least 11 nights at an initial cost of £1,750.

There are strict penalties in place for those who flout the rules.